The 2009 Acura TL has 3 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (19 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints42filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
2009 Acura TL in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 19V500000 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 19V182000 · Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V061000 · Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2009 Acura TL 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.3%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
TL 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
TL 4WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
19
2
0
2
50,075 mi
Structure Body; Frame and members
7
0
0
0
27,000 mi
Visibility Windshield
6
0
0
0
1,000 mi
Power train
5
0
0
0
167,611 mi
Electrical system
3
0
0
0
—
Steering
2
2
0
0
—
Engine
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
2
1
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
1
—
Back over prevention Camera system
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 13, 2025Unknown or other The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys into a lever and pull the car into the off position on its own while driving on the road. My car has turned off without warning due to the key hinge lock failure on the highway ant speed and well as on bumpy roads and at stoplights.
Feb 1, 2021Service brakes Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems to be a known issue Acura is aware of....there seems to be a problem with the VSA Modular failing which is leaking air into the brake line and causing spongy brakes. This is sooooo dangerous as it happens out of no where Im driving normal and suddenly it feels like I have no brakes. The spongy brakes cause a lag in stopping and if for some reason I have to suddenly stop I would be unable to...this symptom last…
Mar 1, 2019 · 186,000 milesEngine I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DUE TO A MECHANICAL RECALL THAT WENT UNDIAGNOSED.( OVER OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL, IN WHICH I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING THE LETTER PRODIVIDED) I WAS DRIVING OFF OF PLEASANT STREET IN HANSON MA, CROSSING ONTO THE MAIN ROAD WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN AND FROZE THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO A POLICE OFFICER WAS ON THE SCENE TO HELP ME SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN CALLING ACURA OF HONDA AND THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING ME IN CIRCLES WITH NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE PHONE AND DENIED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO COVER THIS PROBLEM, AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WHICH THE CLAIM SAFETY IS FIRST AND FOR THE CLIENT, BUT THEY HAVE…
Feb 20, 2019 · 831,100 milesPower train RADUAL ACCELERATION ELICITS THE SYMPTOMS OF SHUDDER AND TACH HUNTING THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND SHUDDERS WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. DRIVING TO WORK 128 MASS HIGHWAY
Apr 12, 2019 · 120,000 miles · crashService brakes TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED BY AAA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Jul 11, 2018 · 149,223 milesPower train VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES, VERY HEAVILY, WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, LIKE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ABRUPTLY, OR FROM FIRST OF SECOND GEAR, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS OR WHEN USING A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Jan 23, 2017Engine MY 2009 ACURA TL STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CAN BE PULLING OUT FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, PULLING OFF AFTER PAUSING AT A STOP SIGN, CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, OR JUST SIMPLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR A CITY STREET. MY CAR CAN HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS OR LESS THAN HALF OF A TANK OF GAS, IT CAN BE COLD OR HOT OUTSIDE, IT CAN BE THE FIRST TIME I MOVE MY CAR FOR THE DAY OR THE TENTH TIME, ETC. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE EXACT ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. I AM GROWING MORE AND MORE CONCERNED THAT THIS STALLING COULD PLACE ME IN IMMINENT DANGER BUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED. PRAYERFULLY, THIS DOESN'T OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY (IN WHICH I DRIVE TO…
Feb 1, 2011Electrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBY AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PARTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
